in bocca al lupo

/in ˈbokka al ˈluːpo/◆idiom

break a leg

In bocca al lupo! — Grazie, altrettanto!

Break a leg! — Thanks, the same to you!

◆ What It Really Means

a way to wish someone good luck in a high-stakes situation, often before performances or exams

¶ Literal Meaning

into the wolf's mouth

Literal Breakdown

ininto+bocca al lupothe wolf's mouth

◇ Mental Image

The mental picture is of someone facing a dangerous beast (the wolf) and emerging unharmed, symbolizing overcoming a challenge.

◈ When to Use

A theater director says 'In bocca al lupo!' to actors before a play. An actor replies 'Crepi il lupo!' to neutralize the implied danger.

◉ Cultural Note

The phrase reflects Italian theater superstitions, where direct wishes for luck are considered risky. It parallels English 'break a leg,' though the Italian version is more metaphorical and tied to a specific response.

informal

a superstitious expression used to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance or important event

Prima dello spettacolo, il regista disse: 'In bocca al lupo!' a tutti gli attori.

Before the show, the director said to all the actors: 'Break a leg!'

Quando il cantante salì sul palco, qualcuno gli gridò: 'In bocca al lupo!'

As the singer took the stage, someone shouted: 'Break a leg!'

The phrase is often responded to with 'Crepi il lupo!' ('May the wolf die!'), echoing the superstitious belief that directly wishing luck might invite bad fortune.

Synonyms

buona fortuna in culo alla balena

Related Phrases

crepi il lupoidiom

May the wolf die (response to 'in bocca al lupo')

in culo alla balenaidiom

literally 'into the whale's ass,' a vulgar alternative with the same meaning

Pro Tip

How to respond

Always reply with 'Crepi il lupo!' to avoid bad luck. Never just say 'grazie.'

Word Origin

The phrase dates back to at least the 18th century. It literally means 'into the wolf's mouth,' evoking the idea of facing danger (the wolf) and emerging unharmed. The superstitious origin stems from the belief that directly wishing someone luck could tempt fate, so an indirect phrase was used instead.

Usage Notes

This idiom is deeply rooted in Italian theater superstition. It is considered rude or unlucky to respond with a simple 'grazie'—the traditional reply is 'crepi il lupo!' to neutralize the curse. The phrase is used in both formal and informal contexts but is most common in performing arts.

Word Breakdown

into

preposition

bocca

mouth

noun

to the

contraction (a + il)

lupo

wolf

noun

Dizionario Italiano-Inglese

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